Friends of the Rohnert Park - Cotati Library

ACCEPTING DONATIONS DURING BOOKSTORE OPEN HOURS

The Friends of the Library is a non-profit volunteer organization incorporated in 1976 and dedicated to bringing the magic of books and enrichment programs to everyone by supporting our library.

Through the sale of used books and other media donated by the community, we provide funding for materials and programs not otherwise available through the library system.

The Friends organization, activities, and business are managed by its Board of Directors, currently including:

  • President: Jake Mackenzie
  • Vice President: Fred Albrecht
  • Secretary: Mary Jane Beccaria
  • Treasurer: Janis Brokaw
  • Volunteer Coordinators: Roxanne Bialkski and Mary Condon

The Board usually meets monthly on the third Monday of the month at 11:00 am in the Rohnert Park–Cotati Library conference room. Please contact Jake Mackenzie at blumacjazz@aol.com for information.

Friends of the Library contact information:
Back room: 707-584-9121 Ext. 0940
Bookstore: 707-584-9121 Ext. 0960

The Friends’ primary fundraising activity is resale of donated new and used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and other printed materials through our bookstore in the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, and additional major book sales each year (generally in spring and fall). Our all-volunteer effort processes over 100,000 books, magazines, CDs, and other materials each year.

The bookstore is located in the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library across from the circulation desk and is open every day except Monday. If you have not discovered this well-stocked gem, you are in for a treat! The Rohnert Park – Cotati Friends of the Library bookstore is the only bookstore located in Rohnert Park.

BOOKSTORE HOURS OF OPERATION

Mon: Closed
Tues: 10am – 4:30pm
Wed: 10am - 7pm
Thurs - Sat: 10am - 4:30pm
Sun: 2-4

DONATIONS OF BOOKS

Please leave donations on the cart just outside the bookstore. A receipt can be provided for your tax records.

The Following Donations are Welcome:

  • New and gently used books
  • CDs
  • DVDs
  • Magazines (less than 2 years old)

PLEASE DO NOT DONATE:

  • Soiled, musty, smoky, or torn books
  • Reader's Digest Condensed Books
  • Encyclopedias
  • Law or medical textbooks
  • School textbooks
  • Magazines more than 2 years old
  • Computer books more than 5 years old
  • Adult or children's VHS tapes and records
  • Toys, games, or craft projects

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer positions are staffed based on current need for volunteers, and volunteers’ expertise, experience, and availability for work. Some volunteer positions support our bookstore and back room sorting and storage area, and involve a weekly commitment during normal library hours (typically 2 to 3 hours per week). Other work is scheduled as needed to support our major book sales and other Friends’ activities.

The activities typically performed by Friends volunteers include:

Bookstore and back room processing (2 to 3 hours per week):

  • Bookstore cashier (open and close bookstore, greet and help customers, handle cash sales)
  • Process donated books in back room (receive donations, clean, price, sort, and shelve by category)
  • Replenish and update books in bookstore (maintain most sellable books in the bookstore)
  • Bookstore/backroom volunteer coordination, scheduling and administration.
  • Some tasks require ability to bend, reach, and lift books, and push a loaded book cart.

Applications for volunteering in the bookstore and backroom processing are available in the bookstore. Your help is needed and much appreciated.

Volunteer tasks scheduled as-needed, and as volunteers are available:

  • Volunteers with a pickup truck are needed periodically for book transportation to and from storage
  • Support book sales by setting up the book sale room, moving boxes of books, setting up book displays for sale
  • During book sales, work at the sales table or work on the floor to maintain and replenish book displays on tables
  • General support tasks: membership/volunteer administration, edit newsletters, computer work, serve on the FOL Board, represent FOL at community meetings, etc.

To volunteer for work as-needed, please request your name to be added to our Volunteer Call List and indicate your area of interest as a volunteer. Volunteers will be notified prior to our major book sales (in spring and fall), and can sign up for tasks as convenient.